Performance School graduate stars for Hearts

On Saturday, Harry Cochrane became the first Performance School pupil to start a Scottish Premiership match following in the footsteps of Dean Campbell who came off the bench for Aberdeen in May.

Cochrane began his Performance School journey at Grange Academy and studied in Kilmarnock for three years, travelling every day by taxi from Stonehouse in South Lanarkshire.

He then left Grange Academy to return to a school in his hometown so he could train more regularly with Hearts.

The dedication has paid off for the young midfielder who started for Hearts at the weekend and played 73 minutes in their 2-1 defeat to Dundee.

Speaking about his whirlwind Saturday, he said: “I don’t really know what to think of it all to be honest. I never thought it’d be me playing in the Premiership at all, never mind at 16. It’s amazing but I want this to just be the start.

“It was a crazy day. My phone was going off the nut after the game and I enjoyed the experience.

“I found out I was starting in a meeting after our pre-match lunch and it totally hit me by surprise.

“I was so nervous and the coaches were saying stuff to me but I couldn’t take it all in as it was huge moment.

“To see the name on the back of my shirt in the dressing room was a dream come true and the moment I’ve been waiting for since I was a wee boy.”

Cochrane has already played for the Tynecastle club against Newcastle United in pre-season as well as impressing for the club’s under-20 side, earning his call-up.

“I was really nervous and my legs weren’t feeling right before the game. It was such a step up from the under-20s but once I got my first few touches I grew in confidence,” he said.

“I had a couple of good moments but I know I can do more and I’ll be looking to continue working hard in training to get another chance.

“The older guys were brilliant with me, telling me to keep calm and get on the ball as much as possible.

“Aaron Hughes and Prince Buaben have both been excellent with me since I started training with the Hearts’ first team.”

The youngster is now hoping it was the first appearance of many and having been a product of the Performance School his feet are firmly on the ground.

“At the Performance School, my coach Andy Goldie always used to give anyone into trouble for putting up Instagram or Twitter messages about scoring goals and all that. I think that lesson helped all the boys be humble going forward.”